We generally call steroids as performance enhancing drugs, substances that favor the competitive sportsmen and bodybuilders who aim to grow bigger and stronger, but much to our knowledge, that are not the only groups confined to take advantage from these agents.

Steroids have therapeutic effects as well or say, their basic aim is to help people cope with their medical conditions in a much better and organized way.

It is for this reason; they are incorporated as a critical part of many treatment plans- few of which will be discussed later in this piece of writing.

ARE ALL STEROIDS MEANT TO GROW MASS?

No, not really! The definition of steroids is very wide with steroids like Corticosteroids that are solely beneficial for medical concerns and not for people intending to grow big.

In fact, saying this would not be wrong that corticosteroids work quite the contrary in a manner other performance enhancing drugs work.

Or let’s put it this way, as testosterone supports the growth and development of mass/strength, corticosteroids negate the functions that bring those said changes in the body.

finaplix-h, is a drug used by vets to treat cattle and livestock; helping them gain weight and increase muscle mass

Essentially, it is a catabolic hormone that significantly affects the process of protein synthesis in the body. Since muscle growth is highly dependent upon the process, one cannot afford its interruption or scaling down owing to the deterrence of tissue production, consequently.

Despite that, the medication is generally interpreted as performance enhancing drugs, apparently because they are also labeled as steroids, however, no form of corticosteroids favor mass gainers, augmentation in strength, endurance, etc.

WHAT ARE CORTICOSTEROIDS AND WHAT ROLE DO THEY PLAY?

These are some very common drugs which are generally prescribed for the easing of inflammation. Essentially, Cosrticosteroids have the power to reduce the intensity of swelling and burning that occurs in any part of the body.

In addition to settling the symptoms of inflammation, the kind of medicine is also effective for addressing the signs of allergic reaction, skin conditions, arthritis, specific respiratory concerns- on top of being a viable treatment element of many other medical issues.

Basically, the role of cortisone is no hard and fast science in our body and is quite simple to easy understanding. It simply produces the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called cortisol when the body becomes short in its production or need an excess to counteract some abnormality.

But things are not that simple about corticosteroids as we may generally think. They are very powerful in natural and an excess of them can complicate the situation for us. It is thereby, highly advised to be used under strict supervision of a health care practitioner who is well-aware of your medical history and the doses of corticosteroids you are taking every day.

ARE CORTICOSTEROIDS LEGAL?

The question may click our mind the moment we get to know that corticosteroids fall under the category of steroids, however, it is essential to learn that corticosteroids are not anabolic but catabolic that can be easily purchased in case of being prescribed by a practicing health care professional.

Thereby, since their consumption involves around medical use and not performance enhancement, these can be rightly shifted to the class of legal, and not illegal.

WHAT ARE THE FREQUENTLY REPORTED SIDE EFFECTS OF CORTICOSTEROIDS?

It isn’t rare to see patients developing complications from the extended or over use of corticosteroids with time. But the intensity and type of side effects produced by the medication are generally reliant upon factors like the duration of taking it and the kind that has been used by the patient as generally:

Oral corticosteroids causes:

An increase in hunger and weight.

Sleep deprivation.

Mood swings.

Edema

Osteoporosis

Diabetes

Hypertension

Eye disorders.

Frequent infections.

Vulnerable skin.

Inhaled corticosteroids causes:

Oral thrush (caused by extensive use and not by the temporary use).

Injected/Intravenous Corticosteroids causes:

An increase in heart beat.

Stomach problems like inability to digest food.

Sleeping difficulties.

Queasiness

Changes in taste.

Well, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that oral corticosteroid is the only kind that is likely to cause a long series of complications, many of which are too serious and irreversible. However, it is interesting to note that the side effects are more likely to erupt when the use of the drug is either higher, or longer which is generally, the case with oral corticosteroids.

This is because the kind of medical problems and conditions that call for its oral form generally require higher doses of cortisone which is what, raises risks for the bearer. In other cases, the use may go safe or generate few manageable and somewhat treatable adverse effects.

CONCLUSION:

When it comes to the nature and objective of Corticosteroids, you will find it a steroid completely different from the anabolic ones, but when it comes to the negative effects, the two definitely shares a similarity!